Canon Announces EOS 600D and 1100D

Canon has today announced two new entry-level digital SLR cameras - one for more advanced beginners and another for those looking for their first DSLR.

The Canon EOS 600D (or the Rebel T3i as it’s known in the States) will sit at the top of the company’s entry-level DSLR portfolio and will come as a follow-up to the EOS 550D. It features an 18 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, fast DIGIC 4 image processing and Full HD video capture, including manual audio level adjustment. It's key new feature, though, is a 3in articulated Clear View LCD screen which will allow you to shoot from a variety of angles, as well as flip the screen round to keep safe.

The EOS 600 also comes with a new system called Feature Guide that offers those new to photography a guide to camera modes and main settings. A new Scene Intelligent Auto mode also offers point-and-shoot simplicity, analysing each scene and adjusting settings to take the best possible image. It has integrated wireless Speedlite settings (to go along with a few new Speedlite flashes also introduced today) and supports SD/SDHC/SHXC cards.

The EOS 1100D (known as the Rebel T3 in the States) is aimed at those starting out in the world of photography. It features a 12.2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor allowing users to shoot images up to A3 size. The 1100D also features the same iFCL Metering system developed for the EOS 7D, linked to the 9-point AF system to ensure all subjects are in-focus and well-exposed in all lighting conditions. In a key upgrade from its predecessor, the 1000D, the EOS 1100D also offers 720p HD video capture, though it lacks the external mic inputs of higher end models.

In order to make things even easier for first-timers, Canon has included Basic+ and Creative Auto modes, which claim to remove any confusing technical terms, using plain language to describe settings and their effect on an image. “Users can also apply different atmospheres to a scene based on the creative intent or lighting type, or, alternatively, make images lighter, darker or blur the background to create more interesting results,” a statement from Canon read.

Pricing for the two new cameras starts at £419 for the 1100D and £679 for the 600D for the body only. When combined with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens the 1100D comes in at £459 with the 600D costing £769. The 600D can also be combined with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens at a price of £949. While Canon’s own website says both cameras will be available in March, we spoke to a representative from Canon who told us the cameras probably won’t actually hit shop shelves until early April here in the UK.